One-fourth of top management positions at the Department of Homeland Security remain vacant as of May 1, according to a congressional report released this week.
The report, (PDF) prepared by the majority staff of the House Homeland Security committee, found that 138 of 575 top decision-making positions within DHS remain unfilled, and the department is not even looking for people to fill many of them.
“The gaping hole in Department executive resources is a homeland security issue that must be addressed and rectified immediately,” warns the report.
A DHS spokesman challenged the report’s tally, saying that it is skewed by a sudden expansion this spring in the number of top management jobs. Before then, only 12 percent of positions were unfilled in a department that has always been thinly staffed at headquarters, spokesman Russ Knocke said. . . .
Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (Va.), ranking Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, agreed that the inability to fill jobs is creating problems within DHS offices. While walking in his district yesterday, Davis said, he met constituents employed at an immigration agency who described lower morale because of the vacancies. . . .
Knocke said Congress has “sent the wrong message to employees” at times by attacking individual appointees and agencies, rather than “ensuring that they have confident leadership in place and the support of Congress behind that leadership and that agency.” — Washington Post
In the past, top positions at DHS were filled by political appointees without enough experience, if they were filled at all, contributing to persistent morale problems, poor job satisfaction and inefficiency and mission failure within the department. Department officials told theWashington Post that they are now looking for experienced personnel for top management positions instead of political appointees.
As the report notes, the department’s top management is still almost entirely comprised of political appointees, potentially leading to a crisis in 2009 with a change of administration, as those appointees leave.
“But unless these positions are filled in the next few months mainly by qualified and experienced career civil servants who will have time to assume the main Department functions, the problem will remain,” the report concludes. “And so will the enhanced threat to homeland security.”
This is, of course, what happens when you ask government to do something important, and why it so often fails at its mission.
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Tyler Moore
Jul 14, 2007
Idea: Patriots need to begin applying for the positions in droves. Even if we are rejected, we’d still tie up their time and money (that they stole from us)
Ray
Jul 15, 2007
Well the rest of the positions seem to be vacant also —- between the ears
Q
Jul 16, 2007
What we need is not just qualified and experienced, how about motivated, involved and people who genuinely care about the work!
More people should look for jobs that they can enjoy, and care about. ohh wait we can’t do that…then what would we complain about…
Jean F Moise
Jul 16, 2007
Jean F Moise :
89-53A Francis Lewis Bd
Queens Village NY 11427
Phone # (516) 285-8650.
Cell (404) 437-1159
E-mail: Jmoise56@aol.com
OBJECTIVE: -? (Manager).
SUMMARY: Proven Leadership Abilities And Goal Oriented
Extremely Organized, and able to meet Deadlines on Accordingly.
Self-Motivated.
EDUCATION: United States, (1982: 1988: 2002: 2004).
Axia Western University College, Art Business Science Undergraduate IT
Brown Mackie College, Business, Liberal Arts.
Subaru America, General Auto Mechanic Master Tech,
Isuzu America, Star Tech Program. Highly trained Technician.
QUALIFICATIONS: United States,
Business Administration, General knowledge on Automotive Business.
Information Technology Analysis, Consultant, Researcher, Thinker,
Technical Approach. Computer Skill, Logic Approach Impute Device,
Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Input Output Devices, Other System is well.
HONORS & AWARDS: United States. (1983: 1986: 1988: 1994: 2002).
• High School Diploma, A.S.E Certified, A/C Certified
• Certified Subaru Technician. Master Subaru Technician.
• Volvo Tech Isuzu Star Tech, Ex-New York State Vehicle Inspector.
Employment History: Technician & Management:? in United States of America
? Stone Mountain Honda & Acura Service Manager/ Head technician (2000:2004),
? Conley Buick –Subaru, Master Technician shop Foreman (1990:1999),
? Subaru Town Motor started as C” then later A’ technician: (1981: 1989),
? Foreign Car Specialist B” Mechanic. (1977:1981).
j
Jul 17, 2007
Attrition plagues DHS senior management - Homeland Stupidity
Jean F Moise
Jul 20, 2007
JEAN F MOISE
89-53A Francis Lewis Blvd
Queens Village NY 11427
Phone (678) 772-4754
July 20, 2007
Attention / H/R
Dear H/R
I have had served the “right arm” as a technician for a variety Subaru /other dealerships, also a sizeable fraction of repair shop for many years . Although I do not have the associate degree, you request for a management position. But, I do have the ethics need it for any position. I think you will find that, my talent is absolutely exceptional, not only on Subaru, but other product as well. Also, I am relatively proficient talented on business administration, upon to business management elective in high school program, also in college. My intention is to make the difference by simplify situation and syncretized each problem based on sagacious logical approach.
I am looking forward to discussing the position with you. Nothing is more powerful then knowledge, because understand our pass will on the other hand helps us understanding a better future upon to our foresight. Subsequently, in order to reasoning those facts, I can be reaching during the day at (404) 437-1159, or in the evening at (516) 285-8650. An addition addresses Jmoise56@aol.com. Thank you very much.
Sincerely
Jean F Moise
Mr Ex
Dec 21, 2007
We need people educated formal and informal that can relate to people and situations whilst doing the right thing and not investing so much self interest ino their position.